Malaysia Hopes Obama Can Change U.S. Policy - Rais

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is hopeful that Barack Obama who won the election to become the 44th president of the United States, could change US administration and foreign policies.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said it was hoped that the US could change its foreign policy and image as brash and aggressive to a country that recognised the democratic principles and diplomacy of other countries.
"It's too early for us now to predict what will happen. But we at Wisma Putra are hopeful that there will be change with the new administration and leadership under Barack Obama as he himself had promised that if he became the new US president," Rais told a news conference at Wisma Putra, here Thursday.
He said Malaysia had never denied US capability and advancement in weaponry or new technology but it should balance the need for these with human considerations for a more peaceful world.
"What we hope is for US policy to have a more human face to it for the world, and that Malaysia-US relations would be more cordial and constructive, and for the US to regard Malaysia as a respected partner in the world community," he added.
Rais said Malaysia also hoped that the US would no longer use aggression or its position of having superior weapons in solving a conflict.
"Wisma Putra is prepared to propose to the cabinet that our leaders who visit US after this, will take the opportunity to meet their counterparts or US officials so that both countries could look closely at each other country's real needs."
On the Philippine government's request for the Malaysian monitoring team to continue to be deployed in Mindanao, Rais said Malaysia had not received any official request on the matter although the team's peacekeeping mission was expected to end at the end of this month.
"At this stage, I can only say that if the Philippines really wishes to forge harmony in the spirit of Asean friendship, we are prepared to consider factors that could help resolve the conflict in Mindanao, especially when they involve the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and others who demand autonomy for their areas.

tunku : it is quite impossible for obama to change US policy for the rest of the world,normally the change the rest of the world's policy for the US. obama will be busy paying back those who sponsors him and the main sponsors came from the jews. deep in my heart i do hope that obama will be different.he is so unfortunate to be the first black president in the most difficult time.